Butyl alcohol

RTECS #

EO1400000

CAS #

71-36-3; 42031-19-6; 107569-51-7; 220713-25-7
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

December 2018

Molecular Weight

74.14

Molecular Formula

C₄H₁₀O

Synonyms

1-Butanol
1-Butyl alcohol
1-Hydroxybutane
Alcool butylique (French)
Butan-1-ol
Butanol
Butanolen (Dutch)
Butanolo (Italian)
Butyl hydroxide
Butylowy alkohol (Polish)
Butyric or normal primary butyl alcohol
CCS 203
Hemostyp
Methylolpropane
n-Butan-1-ol
n-Butanol
n-Butanol (ACGIH)
n-Butyl alcohol
n-Butyl alcohol (OSHA)
Propylcarbinol
Propylmethanol
RCRA waste number U031

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
eye /human	50 ppm		JIHTAB 25,282,1943
eye /human	990 ppm/1H		HPV112 -,-,2008
eye /rabbit	1.62 mg	severe	HPV112 -,-,2008
eye /rabbit	0.005 mL	severe	HPV112 -,-,2008
eye /rabbit	2 mg/24H	severe	85JCAE -,193,1986
skin /human	20 µL/20M		HPV112 -,-,2008
skin /rabbit	20 mg/24H	moderate	85JCAE -,193,1986

Mutation Data and Reference

System Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction	/Aspergillus nidulans	7000 ppm	MUREAV 215,187,1989
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction	lung/hamster	100 mmol/L	MUREAV 182,135,1987

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/rat	6000 ppm/7H (1-19D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)	FAATDF 12,469,1989
inhalation/rat	8000 ppm/7H (1-19D pregnant)	Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system	FAATDF 12,469,1989
inhalation/rat	6000 ppm (1-20D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Biochemical and metabolic Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Behavioral	HPV112 -,-,2008
oral/rat	113 gm/kg (1-20D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system	TOXID9 44,58,2005
oral/rat	35295 mg/kg (1-15D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Female fertility index (e.g., # females pregnant per # sperm positive females; # females pregnant per # females mated) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)	ONGZAC 22(1),71,1991
oral/rat	35295 mg/kg (1-15D pregnant)	Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Biochemical and metabolic	ONGZAC 22(1),71,1991
oral/rat	23100 mg/kg (8W prior to copulation/0-20D pregnant)	Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Craniofacial (including nose and tongue) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system	IOMHEZ 7,365,1994

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
eye/human	lowest published toxic dose: 72.5 mg/m³	Eye: Conjunctiva irritation	VCVGK* -,103,1984
In Vitro/Hamster, lung fibroblast	Inhibitor Concentration Low: >76.3 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc.	TIVIEQ 1,3,1987
In Vitro/Human, leukemia cells	Inhibitor Concentration (5 percent kill): 6910 mg/L/30M	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell counting	TIVIEQ 27,857,2013
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor	Inhibitor Concentration Low: >76.3 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc.	TIVIEQ 1,3,1987
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor	Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 57 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesis	TIVIEQ 3,189,1989
In Vitro/Human, lymphocyte	Inhibitor Concentration (30 percent kill): >200 mg/L/45H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (dye exclusion): trypan blue assay etc.	TIVIEQ 29,901,2015
In Vitro/Human, lymphocyte	Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): >200 mg/L/45H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	TIVIEQ 29,901,2015
In Vitro/Human, monocyte	Inhibitor Concentration (20 percent kill): >10000 µmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TOLED5 199,51,2010
In Vitro/Human, monocyte	Inhibitor Concentration (20 percent kill): 10 mmol/L/2H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	TOLED5 199,51,2010
In Vitro/Human, skin	Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): >2000 µmol/L/48H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TXAPA9 245,281,2010
In Vitro/Mouse, fibroblast	Inhibitor Concentration Low: >65.4 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc.	TIVIEQ 1,3,1987
In Vitro/Mouse, macrophage	Inhibitor Concentration Low: >76.3 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc.	TIVIEQ 1,3,1987
In Vitro/Rabbit, ocular	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 5 pph/5M	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TIVIEQ 27,1855,2013
In Vitro/Rat, myocard	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 150 mmol/L/5M	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	TIVIEQ 26,849,2012
In Vitro/Rat, myocard	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 150 mmol/L/1H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc. In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Apoptosis in vitro	TIVIEQ 26,849,2012
In Vitro/Rat, myocard	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 150 mmol/L/6H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (dye exclusion): trypan blue assay etc. In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc. In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Apoptosis in vitro	TIVIEQ 26,849,2012
In Vitro/Rat, myocard	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 150 mmol/L/30M	Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on mitochondrial function	TIVIEQ 26,849,2012
In Vitro/Rat, myocard	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 150 mmol/L/10M	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays	TIVIEQ 26,849,2012
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 25 ppm	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Eye: Conjunctiva irritation Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes	JIHTAB 25,282,1943
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified)	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 28400 mg/m³		GISAAA 51(5),61,1986
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 500 ppm/6M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	TOLED5 9,137,1981
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 6600 ppm/2H	Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)	HPV112 -,-,2008
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 3010 ppm/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	HPV112 -,-,2008
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 6530 ppm/4H	Behavioral: Muscle weakness	HPV112 -,-,2008
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 7200 ppm/8H	Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)	HPV112 -,-,2008
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): >8000 ppm/4H		HPV112 -,-,2008
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 1500 mg/m³	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes	VCVGK* -,101,1984
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 4600 mg/m³/4H	Liver: Other changes Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases	VCVGK* -,101,1984
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 7400 mg/m³/4H	Liver: Other changes Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases	VCVGK* -,101,1984
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 24000 mg/m³/4H		VCVGK* -,101,1984
intraperitoneal/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 254 mg/kg	Liver: Other changes	RCOCB8 26,75,1979
intraperitoneal/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 200 mg/kg		VCVGK* -,101,1984
intraperitoneal/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 400 mg/kg	Behavioral: Ataxia	VCVGK* -,101,1984
intravenous/cat	lowest published lethal dose: 243 mg/kg		JPETAB 16,1,1920
intravenous/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 377 mg/kg		AIPTAK 135,330,1962
intravenous/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 310 mg/kg		EVHPAZ 61,321,1985
oral/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 1760 mg/kg	Gastrointestinal: Other changes Blood: Hemorrhage	COREAF 81,192,1875
oral/Dog	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1782 mg/kg		HPV112 -,-,2008
oral/hamster	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1.2 gm/kg		HPV112 -,-,2008
oral/human	lowest published lethal dose: 428 mg/kg		VCVGK* -,103,1984
oral/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kg		VCVGK* -,101,1984
oral/rabbit	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3484 mg/kg	Eye: Corneal damage Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	IMSUAI 41,31,1972
oral/rabbit	lowest published toxic dose: 0.8 gm/kg	Behavioral: General anesthetic	HPV112 -,-,2008
oral/rabbit	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3400 mg/kg		VCVGK* -,102,1984
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4.36 gm/kg	Gastrointestinal: Gastritis Liver: Other changes Blood: Hemorrhage	HPV112 -,-,2008
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 0.79 gm/kg		HPV112 -,-,2008
oral/rat	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 790 mg/kg	Liver: Fatty liver degeneration Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes Blood: Other changes	SAMJAF 43,795,1969
oral/wild bird	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2500 mg/kg		AECTCV 12,355,1983
skin/rabbit	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3400 mg/kg		NPIRI* 1,10,1974
skin/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 5 mL/kg		HPV112 -,-,2008
subcutaneous/Dog	lowest published lethal dose: 2 gm/kg	Gastrointestinal: Other changes Blood: Hemorrhage	COREAF 81,192,1875
subcutaneous/mouse	lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3200 mg/kg		TXAPA9 18,185,1971
unreported route/rabbit	lowest published lethal dose: 3500 mg/kg		THMOAM 6,327,1892

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified)	lowest published toxic concentration: 5 mg/m³/4H/5W- intermittent	Liver: Changes in liver weight	VCVGK* -,103,1994
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 6600 µg/m³/24H/17W- continuous	Brain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS Liver: Liver function tests impaired Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Other changes	GISAAA 41(11),12,1976
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 1.36 mg/m³/30D- continuous	Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes	TOLED5 135,S122,2002
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 14.6 mg/m³/30D- continuous	Liver: Multiple effects Endocrine: Changes in adrenal weight	TOLED5 135,S122,2002
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 212 mg/m³/5H/26W- intermittent	Immunological Including Allergic: Increase in cellular immune response	VCVGK* -,103,1994
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 6.6 mg/m³/5H/122D- intermittent	Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes	VCVGK* -,103,1994
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 20 mg/m³/24H/90D- continuous	Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Gastrointestinal: Other changes	VCVGK* -,103,1994
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 6600 µg/m³/24H/17W- continuous	Brain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS Vascular: Regional or general arteriolar or venous dilation Liver: Liver function tests impaired	GISAAA 41(11),12,1976
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 2000 ppm/6H/3D- intermittent	Liver: Other changes Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes	ATSUDG 8,418,1985
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 46500 mg/kg/13W- intermittent	Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Ataxia Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count	NTIS** OTS0531032
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 7 mL/kg/7D- intermittent	Liver: Other changes Biochemical: Effect on specific coenzyme: B vitamins including folate	JDGRAX 10(1-2),25,1978
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 1 mg/kg/5D- intermittent	Endocrine: Changes in adrenal weight Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Catalases	TOLED5 135,S122,2002
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 4 mg/kg/20D- intermittent	Endocrine: Changes in adrenal weight Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Catalases	TOLED5 135,S122,2002
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 6 mg/kg/30D- intermittent	Endocrine: Changes in adrenal weight Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Catalases	TOLED5 135,S122,2002
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 113080 mg/kg/20D- continuous	Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	TOXID9 44,58,2005
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 45500 mg/kg/13W- intermittent	Behavioral: Ataxia	HPV112 -,-,2008
skin/rabbit	lowest published toxic dose: 136080 mg/kg/4D- intermittent	Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field	HPV112 -,-,2008
subcutaneous/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 157 mg/kg/4D- intermittent	Behavioral: Ataxia	NETEEC 10,81,1988

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 20 ppm	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		JACTDZ 6(3),403,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 140-141,239,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 628,67,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NCLNA* 16,503,1998
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 199,203,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 764,31,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		RTOPDW 59,364,2011

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-air	time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)	DTLVS* 3,31,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (152 mg/m³), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 50 ppm (154 mg/m³), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	time-weighted average 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 75 ppm (230 mg/m³), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VLE 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY	MAK 100 ppm (310 mg/m³), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY	time-weighted average 45 mg/m³, short term exposure limit 90 mg/m³, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	short term exposure limit 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-INDIA	time-weighted average 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), skin, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	peak 50 ppm (150 mg/m³) (skin), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), skin, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 25 ppm (75 mg/m³), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 20 ppm (61 mg/m³); short term exposure limit 50 ppm (152 mg/m³), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND	time-weighted average 50 mg/m³, short term exposure limit 140 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	time-weighted average 10 mg/m³, short term exposure limit 30 mg/m³, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	time-weighted average 15 ppm (45 mg/m³), ceiling concentration 30 ppm (90 mg/m³), Skin, JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (150 mg/m³), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES	time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	short term exposure limit 50 ppm (154 mg/m³), skin, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	8H time-weighted average 100 ppm (300 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO n-BUTYL ALCOHOL-air	ceiling concentration 50 ppm (Sk)	NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code 13850; Number of Industries 304; Total Number of Facilities 57416; Number of Occupations 179; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1059965; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 269422
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code 13850; Number of Industries 306; Total Number of Facilities 60975; Number of Occupations 160; Total Number of Employees Exposed 678026

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Histidine reversion-Ames test; In vitro SCE-nonhuman
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Alcohols II, 1401
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1996: Volatile organic compound, 2549
On EPA IRIS database

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health